Metallic construction for serving trays, frames, and the like



Aug. 23, 1927.

1,640,011 H. SOMERFL-ECK METALLIC C NSTRUCTION FOR SERVING TRAYS. FRAMES, AND THE'LIKE Filed March 26. 1926 IN VENTOR 4 Patented Aug. 23, 1927.

- UNITED STATES 1,640,011 A ENT orries;

HERMAN SOMERFLECK, on NEW' YORK, N. Y.

METALLIC CONSTRUCTION FOB SERVING TRAYS, FRAMES, AND THE LIKE. v

Application filed March 26, 1926. Serial No. 97,519.-

A further object is a novel form of construction of an element of the structure in which the mounting of the said element locks certain partsthereof together. while at the same time securing it to a principal frame member.

Other ob eCts are simplicity of construction and means to cover inaccurate oint fittings and also to insure perfection of outline in the angles of the frame corners.

These and other objectsand advantages will be described in detail in the following specification and will be fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a serving tray which embodies the form of construe tion herein claimed. r

Fig. 2 shows a bottom view of the said tray with a portion of the covering, and parts of the frames'heathing broken away to disclose the relative positions of the frame elements. 1

Fig. 3'shows picture frame. 7

Fig. 'shows a section on the line 44 of Figure l.

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged fragmentary corner View as seen from the bottom surface of the frame, and illustrates the relative positions of adjacent end and side members; the corner sheath being removed.

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged sectional fragmentary View on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged fragmentary View, as seen from the top surface, and disclosing the relative positions of the end and side members.

Fig. SshoWs an enlarged fragmentary view of a badly mitered frame corner; the corner sheath being broken away to disclose the said fault. I

Fig. 9 shows an enlarged perspective view of a corner sheath.

The form of construction as shown and claimed is as follows:

The frame in its simplest form, and fully assembled, is best shown in-Figure 3 of the drawings, in which, 10 and 11 are side memthe structureapplied to a herewith bers, and 12 and 13., end members. These members are secured together by the corner sheaths i l, 15, 16 and 17, which are of novel construction as will be described later. In

this figure the invention is shown applied as a. frame for the picture 18.

In Figure 1 of the drawings, the frame is shownas the supporting element of a serving tray, and has attached to the end members, handles as shown at 19 and 20. \Vhenused-for this purpose, the tray is built up as follows, as will be seen on refer ence to Figure l and to the fragmentary View F igure' 6. A transparent covering, preferably of glass 21 is inserted from the bottom and rests against the shoulders as shown at 22 and 23. Next to the glass is placed a background piece 24 which may bear some ornamentation as shown at "25. Behind this background piece is a layer of corrugated card board 26, or any suitable material. This is covered and supported at the bottom by a sheet 27, which may be 01 tin, brass, or any proper substance. It will be seen that the sheet 27 is inserted at the edges under the sheathing 28 of the side and end members. This is best seen in F igure 6. Sheathing of'this character. which is preferably of metal and may be plated, oXydized, or otherwise finished, is applied to all of the end and side members,- the inner base material 29 being usually of wood; it in closes the said base material on all sides except that portion indicated at 30. It will be seen that the face of the shoulder adjacent to that shown at 30 is horizontal and parallel to the plane of 'the'tray bottom and I thus affords a firm and close fitting bearing for'the glass covering.

At the corners, the end pieces as that shown in Figure 7 at 13, are placed against the side members as shown at 11; the full endagainst the side with no overlapping portions. In this position they are permanently secured by the corner sheaths as that shown in Figure 9.

These corner sheaths are of novel construction, having the sides 30 and 31 bent upward from the angle plate 32, and having one member 33 bent over to a corresponding plane to the said angle plate and having the member. 34: bent at a similar angle, but overlapping a portion of the member 33 as indicated by the dotted line 35. v The said member 34: has also an extended lug 36 Eli) which rests upon the member 33 and is perforated as shown at 37 to coincide with a similar perforation in the said member 33. This lug 36 is an important element; as it permits of the location of the pin at a point well to one side of the joint and is thus provided with a substantial supporting structure to receive the shank thereof.

When assembled with the end and side members of the frame, these corner sheaths are placed with the lugs 36 extended in each case to the right of its integral member, and a nail, or pin 89 driven through the perforation 37 thus securing the member 3a in a fixed relation to the member 33 and at the same time, securing the sheath to the end, or side member. Pins are then driven through the other perforations of the sheath as shown at lt), ll etc., thus completing the assembly of the frame corner.

Nails as shown at 4:2, 44 etc., are driven through the sheathing of the end and side members and passing through the bottom plate, serve to hold same securely in position.

The pins which are used to secure the lugs as that shown at 36, are provided with coverings of rubber, felt or similar material as at 45 to prevent the marring of any surface on which the tray may be placed.

The corner sheath is especially adaptable for use on badly mitered corners as that shown in Figure 8 of the drawings at MS; as it completely covers the faulty construction and produces a perfectly finished appearance.

The corner sheath when applied, forces the end and side members into true angular relation to each other and prevents the possibility of irregular corner formations.

It will be seen that the sheath engages the main body of the frame on the top, bottom, ends and sides thereof and maintains them in true angular relation, and is at the same time itself held together in part by its attachment to the said frame body.

lVhile I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention herewith, I do not Wish to be held rigidly to the exact details as illustrated, but claim the right to such minor modifications as may come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. Corner sheaths for serving trays comprising an'angle plate adapted to be dis posed adjacent the upper surface of the frame of said trys, downwardly disposed side members integral with said angle plate adapted to be disposed adjacent the outer edges of the frame of said tray, overlapping bottom plates integral with theside members, and a projecting member on one of said bottom plates extending at right angles to said bottom plate. adapted to recline on the lower surface of the other bottom plate having an opening therein in registration with an opening in said last mentioned bottom plate for receiving a pin at a point spaced from the corner joint of the frame of said tray.

2. A serving tray comprising a frame having side and end members, said side and end members being joined at the corners of said tray by butt joints, sheaths for fastening said butt joints comprising an angle plate adapted to be disposed against the upper surface of the side and end members of said tray. downwardly disposed side members integral with said angle plate adapted to be disposed against the outer edge of said side and end members, overlapping bottom plates integral with the sides of said angle plates adapted to be disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the side and end members of said frame. and a projection on one of the bottom plates extending at right angles thereto adapted to recline on the lower surface of the other bottom plate having an aperture therein in registration with an aperture in the other bottom plate at a point spaced from the abutment of said side and end member for accommodating a pin to retain the endmember in a fixed position to the side member of said frame.

In t-estimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

HERMAN SOMERFLE OK. 

